Carolyn K. and Richard F. Barry III are Norfolk natives and the founders of the Museum, which was their gift to Old Dominion University. You can read more about the Museum’s history on our History & Mission Page.
The Barry Art Museum is an independent non-profit foundation called The Old Dominion University Museum Foundation.
The Museum has four areas of collecting focus: contemporary international sculpture in glass, American modernist paintings, marine paintings, and historical dolls and automata.
The Museum can be toured in an hour with a brisk walk, but we encourage you to stay longer and enjoy the works of art on view.
Visitors that require chaperones must have 1 chaperone per 8 guests + must make reservations prior to arrival. Email barryartmuseum@odu.edu to let us know you are coming!
The Museum has two wheelchairs available for visitors – please call ahead to reserve, if you know that you will require one for your visit. The Museum also has an elevator.
The Museum does not have a gift shop or a café, but you can purchase exhibition catalogs and museum merchandise online. Several restaurants are within walking distance on Monarch Way.
The entire Museum is open to the public, with the exception of the administrative offices.
The Museum displays works of art by artists with a proven exhibition record. Student work can regularly be seen at the Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Galleries on Monarch Way.
The Museum is offering special tours of the collection and changing exhibitions. For more information, please visit our Tours Page.
The Museum is featuring two special exhibitions per year, one in the fall and one in the spring semester. You can view our latest exhibitions on our Exhibitions Page.
Museum staff is not permitted by law to provide appraisals of value. If you want to consult a museum expert to identify an object, please call ahead and make an appointment. It is best to send an electronic image in advance. We discourage visitors from bringing works of art into the Museum.
The Museum is FREE and open to the public. The Museum reserves the right to charge an admission fee for events and special exhibitions.
The Museum has been open since November 2018.
Yes, you may take photographs for personal use. Please consult our Photography Page for our policy on commercial photography.
